Sunday, September 30, 2012

Health A Huge Factor For Pierce, Celtics

Paul Pierce admitted Friday that the sprained MCL in his left knee he suffered in the first round of the playoffs last season was beyond immediate treatment, but affirmed he’s entering the 2012-13 season at 100 percent after an offseason of conditioning and strengthening.
With a new season about to begin and Pierce not getting any younger, the conversation quickly turned to minutes. Pierce said he doesn’t have a number in mind that he would like to play each night, opting instead for allowing coach Doc Rivers to monitor that part of the equation.
“I’m going to listen to my body,” the soon-to-be 35-year-old Pierce said. “(Doc is) going to kind of watch how the game is going, how I’m playing. If I can still play at a high level, who knows what that number may be. Doc has always found a good balance at finding that number.”
“I think the key for us, if we’re going to win another championship, is going to be our health,” Pierce said. “You have to be good, you have to be lucky, sometimes over things you can’t control, as you saw. Since our first year we won it, we haven’t been lucky enough to be healthy, so hopefully we’re healthy this year and we can make another run at it.”

Friday, September 28, 2012

League Adopting Remedy for Flopping? Retarded!


The NBA is finalizing a new procedure to deal with flopping this coming season, with an off-court remedy expected to be in place before the start of the regular season.
After meeting with their newly revamped competition committee two weeks ago in New York, the league anticipates that incidents of flopping will be adjudicated on a postgame basis with fines assessed for the offenses, a league spokesman said Thursday.
“The procedures will likely involve a postgame review as opposed to calling it as an in-game infraction,” the league spokesman said in a statement to CBSSports.com and other outlets.

NBA BEATS - This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard of. This is retarded. If a player can get away with flopping then more props to him. All it means is that they are competitive and want to win. The league is going to fine players for flopping? That is stupid. They should be fining the referee for calling the flop. Horrible move by the NBA. 

Gilbert Arenas to Play in China?

L.A. native Gilbert Arenas was playing pickup ball in the Lakers’ practice facility as recently as Thursday, but Arenas has yet to secure a training camp invite for the coming season.
Not from the Lakers or the Clippers, his two preferred destinations, or anyone else.
So …
Sources with knowledge of Arenas’ thinking told ESPN.com that the former All-Star is giving strong consideration to starting the season in China.
Arenas has spent the bulk of the offseason working out under the care of the trusted Joe Abunassar while dropping in on the occasional open gym at the Lakers’ or Clippers’ practice facilities and, by all accounts, looking good in those pickup games.

Celtics Sign Darko Milicic


The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent forward/center Darko Milicic. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Milicic, a 7’0 center/forward, appeared in 29 games last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves and averaged 4.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 16.3 minutes per game. Milicic tied his career-high with seven blocks against the Dallas Mavericks on January 25. Beginning his 10th season, Milicic recorded a career-high of 8.8 points per game during the 2010-11 season with the Timberwolves and finished 5th in the NBA in blocked shots per game (2.03). The second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft was a member of the 2004 NBA Championship Detroit Pistons during his rookie season. He has posted career averages of 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.31 blocks in 467 career games.

John Wall Out With Knee Injury

The Washington Wizards just announced that John Wall will miss 8 weeks with a stress injury in his left knee.

Knicks to Sign Rasheed Wallace

Source close to Knicks: All the players expect a Rasheed Wallace signing to become official. He took his physical w/ the team yesterday september 27th.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Channing Frye Optimistic About Returning

News of Channing Frye’s medical condition has a lot of Suns fans worried he won’t play again. But he’s hoping it won’t be too long before he’s back in the game.
“It’s not a good situation but at the same time I do have hope,” said the Suns forward.
Frye has just been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and it likely means he’ll be sitting out the entire season.
“I look at it as a rare opportunity to spend time with my family that I may not get again, especially with my kids so young, and see how everything goes behind the scenes especially during the season,” said Frye.
The Suns cardiologist Dr. Tim Byrne said the heart condition was discovered during a routine physical required by the NBA, and Frye is lucky the sometimes fatal condition was caught so early.
“The most likely cause is a virus and many times those do improve and get better so yes there is a very real chance he could return to normal function and a normal lifestyle,” said Dr. Tim Byrne.
But as far as ever playing professional basketball again, doctors said it is possible and Frye is confident he will.
“You know I’m not done yet I still have a lot to prove,” said Frye. “I feel great. Coming in I was ready to drain some threes and post up a little bit you know.”

Monday, September 24, 2012

Where Will Derek Fisher End Up?


Was there any hope of keeping the free-agent guard?
“There still is,” Brooks said. “Everything is still fluid.”
Nonetheless, Fisher remains unsigned. I’ve been told the Los Angeles resident routinely practiced at both the Lakers and Clippers practice facilities this offseason. Meanwhile, the Oklahoman’s John Rohde reported the Thunder would only re-sign Fisher at the veteran’s minimum. Sports illustrated’s Sam Amick quoted an unnamed source saying FIsher’s chances of joining the Thunder are “remote” since the team already features three point guards in Russell Westbrook, Eric Maynor and Reggie Jackson.  Brooks also mentioned in general terms that he leaves personnel decisions to Thunder General Manager Sam Presti.
Still, Brooks gushed plenty about Fisher’s four-month stint with the Thunder. Even though Fisher averaged a career-low 4.9 points on 34.3% shooting through 20 regular-season games with the Thunder, Brooks marveled at how the 38-year-old’s playoff experience and leadership boosted an otherwise youthful team. Laker fans have always remained split on a similar role he provided when he helped the Purple & Gold to five NBA titles.
“He knows how to play. He was terrific for us,” Brooks said. “I tell him all the time, ‘Derek, don’t get into coaching. Don’t get into sports.’ This guy is bigger than that. I always tease him, ‘Run Apple.’ You’re smart. You can lead. That guy is a leader. One day he could probably be the commissioner.”

Gordon Hayward Expects Jazz to Improve

Hayward has high hopes for the Jazz. He believes his personal progression mirrors the Jazz’s improvement trajectory — in part because of how many solid players are loaded into each position.
“I expect us to do better than we did last year,” he said, reflecting back on a better-than-expected 36-30 record and first-round playoff appearance in the lockout-shortened campaign.
“I think as a player you kind of want to improve both as a team and individually from year to year,” Hayward added. “I’ve done that from my rookie to sophomore year. Hopefully I’ll do that again this year. Same goes for the team. We missed playoffs first year (39-43 in 2010-11), made it barely the second year, so this year needs to be better than that.”

NBA Returning to Seattle?

The Seattle City Council is expected to approve a deal Monday that would help build an arena to bring NBA and NHL teams to the city.
Members of the council have indicated they’re ready to sign off on investor Chris Hansen’s plan to build a $490 million arena near the Seahawks and Mariners stadiums in the SoDo area, south of downtown. The plan calls for $200 million in public investment.
Changes in the plan still must be approved by the King County Council, and it must pass an environmental review. But, Hansen says city approval will allow him to start looking for a team that would replace the Sonics. After four decades in Seattle, the Sonics were moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Trail Blazers’ Invite Adam Morrison to Camp

Six years after “Draft the Stache,”Adam Morrison finally will be given the chance to play for the Trail Blazers.
Morrison will attend the Blazers’ training camp as a nonroster invite, according to an NBA source, and will be given the chance to fight for a regular season roster spot with the team. The one-time college star and No. 3 overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft will highlight an unannounced list of nonroster invites when camp opens Oct. 2.
Morrison, 28, has not played in an NBA game since appearing in the playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers on April 27, 2010. He was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats with much fanfare out of Gonzaga, but his collegiate success never transferred to the NBA, in part because he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee.
The Blazers’ roster features 15 players — the maximum allowed by the NBA — but not all 15 have guaranteed contracts. If Morrison shows new GM Neil Olshey and new coach Terry Stotts he still has some NBA game left, it’s possible Morrison could make the Blazers’ regular season roster.

Brooklyn Nets sign Josh Childress

The Nets, for the second straight day, announced an addition to their frontcourt. General manager Billy King, through a statement released by the club, said Josh Childress, a 6-8 forward, has signed. Terms of the contract were not released.
Childress played 34 games last season for the Phoenix Suns last season, averaging 2.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game.

NBA BEATS -  Can not believe this guy still has a job in the NBA. I live in the Phoenix area. So I saw him a  play for the Suns whenever he got on the court. Which was not often. Was not impressed at all. Happy to see him go.

McGrady Works Out For Spurs, Knicks

Still searching for an NBA franchise willing to guarantee a contract for next season, seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady worked out for the San Antonio Spurs this week at the team’s practice facility, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Next up for McGrady on Thursday is a workout for the New York Knicks, league sources said.
Time is running out for the 33-year-old McGrady to secure a guaranteed contract for the season. Sources say he will likely have to choose between accepting a “make-good” training-camp invite or going overseas – perhaps to China.
The Spurs have brought several players to San Antonio to evaluate over recent weeks, and have yet to make a decision on whether McGrady could possibly fit into the team’s plans this season. The Knicks have discussed the possibility of adding another perimeter scoring threat, and want to evaluate McGrady for a possible return. McGrady played 24 games in 2010 with the Knicks

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Derrick Rose Begins Shooting, Jumping

Roughly four months after doctors repaired the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Derrick Rose said he started jumping “a couple of days ago” and remains encouraged by his rehabilitation process.
“Recovery has been good,” Rose said Thursday at a promotional event for Adidas. “I’m rehabbing five times a week. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we do lower and upper body and bike workouts. I’m starting to shoot now. I’m starting to jump a little. I’m seeing improvement every week.”

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Knicks Add Shurna, Three Others to Camp

The Knicks signed four players Tuesday – guard Oscar Bellfield, forwards John Shurna and Mychel Thompson and center Henry Sims – to help round out their training camp roster.
The biggest name among the four is Shurna, who starred for four years at Northwestern, finishing with a school record 2,038 points and averaging 20.0 points per game as a senior. The Post reported in Tuesday’s paper that Shurna’s deal is partially guaranteed.

Tyreke Evans Aims to Silence Critics

Tyreke Evans showed up at the Sacramento Kings’ practice gym at 4 a.m. one day last month to work on his shooting. Kings officials weren’t surprised. Evans has spent much of the offseason in the gym – part of his plan to regain the form he showed his first season in the NBA when he was named Rookie of the Year.
“I’ve been receiving a lot of criticism about not being healthy and not playing like I did my rookie year,” Evans said. “I just want to come back this year and show people I’m still here and that I haven’t lost a step.”
Evans knows he faces an uncertain future, and has devoted himself this summer to improving his game.

Roy Expects Return to ‘My Old Game’

After several weeks of workouts, Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy wants to ease concerns about his knees.
Roy, who announced his retirement in December because of a degenerative condition in his knees, says he is satisfied with his progress and is “not holding back” in preparation for the 2012-13 season.
“I’ve had no setbacks,” the three-time NBA all-star told reporters Thursday, Sept. 13, after an informal practice with teammates and several former college players. “There’s nothing stopping me from getting back to my old game. It just takes work and getting my rhythm back.”

Clippers sought Griffin's approval on Barnes

Chris Paul recruited Matt Barnes. Blake Griffin forgave him.
Barnes said the All-Star point guard pitched signing Barnes to Clippers management, though there was one potential hang-up: Barnes had shoved Griffin to the floor during a preseason game last December, earning a flagrant foul.
So before agreeing to acquire the nine-year veteran, Barnes said, the Clippers checked with Griffin to receive his blessing. Barnes said he also spoke with Griffin on Thursday.
“I just kind of explained to him that it was no disrespect to him or his game,” Barnes said. “I think he’s one of the best players in the league and arguably the most athletic player. I play basketball hard-nosed and if you’re not on my team, during that 48 minutes we’re enemies. He appreciated it and understood where I was coming from.”

Could an NBA Team Land in Louisville?

A group of community leaders convened by restaurant franchisee and former professional basketball player Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman met with Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer on Friday to discuss the possibility of a National Basketball Association team coming to Louisville, Fischer’s office said.
In a statement, Fischer said the meeting gauged the “level of interest” and the “conditions necessary to attract a team.”
“There was a lot of excitement in the room about what an NBA team could mean for Louisville’s global recognition and as a job attractor and economic engine. There are many elements involved in a journey such as this,” the mayor said. “This must be a win for the University of Louisville, as well as other stakeholders. I’m excited to be part of the dialogue and I continue to believe we should be ready if an opportunity presents itself.”

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Miller to Join Basketball Hall of Fame

Reggie Miller knows exactly what he will be most proud of when he is inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.
Not his 25,279 NBA points, 14th all-time. Not his 2,560 three-pointers made, No. 2 all-time. Not his 18-year career with one team, the Indiana Pacers.
It will be that he and his sister, Cheryl Miller, will become the only siblings in the Basketball Hall of Fame entering as players.
“I think it’s more cool for the Miller family to have a brother-sister act in the Hall of Fame,” he said. “That’s what I’m most excited about because no one else can say that.”
Miller and 10 others will be inducted Friday: Lidia Alexeeva, Don Barksdale, Mel Daniels, Phil Knight, Katrina McClain, Hank Nichols, Don Nelson, Ralph Sampson, Chet Walker and Jamaal Wilkes. The All-American Redheads, pioneers in women’s basketball, will be inducted in the team category.

NBA BEATS - That is pretty cool that Reggie and his sister will both be in the Hall of Fame. That has never happened and I do not think that will ever happen again. That is remarkable.

Taj Gibson’s Ready for a Breakout Year

Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson said Monday he’s confident the Bulls can still compete without Derrick Rose and foresees his role expanding this season.
The Bulls went 18-9 during the regular season and 1-4 in the playoffs without Rose last season.
“We still did good even when we didn’t have Derrick (last season),” said Gibson, who threw out a ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago White Sox’s game on Monday. “We beat the Heat without Derrick.
Entering his fourth season, Gibson said he and Thibodeau expect more of him this season. Gibson averaged 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 20.4 minutes last season.
Gibson is in the final year of his rookie contract. He said there have been talks about an extension, but either way he’s not going to let it affect him.
“They’re talking about that stuff now,” Gibson said. “I’m not even thinking about that. A lot of people always talk about that all year long, all season long. I don’t really worry about it. I won’t really be thinking about it. I’m just going out there and playing my game.”

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Thunder Hope to Keep James Harden


So the Thunder now have to decide whether Harden is worthy of an extension. When it was apparent that Westbrook would flourish into an All-Star-caliber guard, Presti decided that Jeff Green, the third wheel on the Thunder’s machine in 2010-11, was expendable, and dealt him to the Celtics.
“We’ll be open in saying that there are a lot of inherent challenges this organization faces as a result of the new CBA,” Presti said. “With that said, we also maintained that we’re going to figure out a way to build a team that’s competitive within the new system and capable of [competing for championships]. Nothing changes in that respect.
“We’ll have some tough decisions in terms of being a good team and a team that’s enjoyed some level of flexibility. We need to work with James in hopes of keeping him with the team.
“I don’t want to speak for James or any of our players, but he knows how much we think of him. With any situation like this, it’s a matter of finding balance that works for both of us.”

NBA BEATS - I for one hope he does not stay. I live in Arizona and have heard he still has many ties to the valley of the sun since he played hi college ball at Arizona State University. So I would hope he could end up with the Suns. Although I do not see him as a number one option. He is just a perfect third wheel.

Pietrus Won’t Play For Minimum Contract

Among the free agents remaining on the market is former Celtic Mickael Pietrus, who does not want to play for the league minimum. The Bucks had expressed interest in Pietrus but he remains without a team. The Celtics still have their $1.95 million biannual exception remaining but are expected to wait until close to the regular season to use that, perhaps on a player waived by another team

It all makes sense now!


Saturday, September 1, 2012

Should Ads Appear on NBA Uniforms?

Back in July, when NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver made it known that advertisements were likely due to appear on team uniforms starting in the 2013-14 season, a lot was made about what a patch on the lapel of a jersey would do to the purity of the game. There was also a lot made of the fact that a whole lot of cash could be generated by selling that little two-by-two inch swath of prime real estate.
So, which side is right? The side that wants to earn the extra cash, or the side that wants to keep the jerseys free of corporate logos?
Both have fair points, but from a simple aesthetic perspective, these patches are going to make NBA uniforms very, very hard to look at. Of the four major U.S. sports, basketball has the least amount of open uniform space with which to work, so plugging up that little bit of leftover negative space can look clunky, especially when it’s not a patch thematically tied to the team’s logos or color scheme.

NBA BEATS - I don't like the idea of advertisements on jerseys. If you add one, then more are likely to follow. Where are you going to draw the line?I heard somebody on the radio say that in the future teams will no longer be tied to a city but instead a company. So instead of the Chicago Bulls you would have like the Microsoft Bulls. (for example) I don't want it to go there.